World Cruising Handbook Corrections & Additions: Caribbean

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-03-14 09:09:19
Topic: WORLD CRUISING HANDBOOK 2007
Countries: Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Sint Maarten

Corrections and additions to World Cruising Handbook 3rd edition (2001).

Caribbean

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net www.safetyandsecuritynet.com

Bahamas p.217

Health: There were two confirmed cases of malaria in Great Exuma in 2006-7; check the latest medical travel advice before travelling.

BVI p.226

Restrictions: Non-residents must obtain a recreational fishing permit in order to fish in BVI waters. Failure to comply may result in a large fine or custodial sentence.

Cuba p.231

The Cuban government now requires the use of CUCs or convertible Cuban pesos ("tourist dollars" ; different from the national currency) for all transactions. US dollars can be exchanged on arrival but there is a 10% penalty; it is therefore better to exchange British pounds, Euros, Canadian dollars or Swiss Francs for which there is no penalty. In some tourist areas Euros are accepted.

Tourist card/visa costs from $30 to 50.

Cuban cizitizens are prohibited from visiting foreign flagged yachts and in some marinas even foreign crews are not allowed to go on board other yachts.

Dominican Republic p.239

The Marina Guerra (Coast Guard) will issue a cruising permit (a despacho).

Yachts must clear from port to port, and see customs on each arrival, (delete: but there is no charge for this.)

Fees: Clearance fee, US$43. $15 US per person for a 3 month visa. The Coast Guard should issue the despacho free of charge, but will often request a fee (about $15 US). Agricultural inspection fee, US$10 (not always applied). If clearance is carried out at a marina, there may be a service fee of about $100 US.

Sint Maarten p.273

As of January 1, 2008 fees are to increase in order to raise revenue to make investments in the Simpson Bay bridge and other port infrastructure.

The new departure fees, or bridge fees, per one-week stay or part thereof will be as follows:

NAf 18/ USD 10 for vessels 9 -14 m length

NAf 27/ USD 15 for vessels 14 - 20 m

NAf 45/ USD 25 for vessels 20 - 28 m

NAf 81/ UDS 45 for vessels 28 - 36 m

NAf 153/ USD for vessels 36 metres or more

For all other vessels the fee will be NAf. 18.

The new harbour fees that are due for passenger ships or yachts per one-week stay or part thereof will be:

NAf 36 for vessels with a length of 8 - 13 metres

NAf 72 for vessels 13 - 18 metres

NAf 108 for vessels 18 - 23 metres

NAf 162 for vessels 23 - 28 metres

NAf 216 for vessels 28 - 33 metres

NAf 270 for vessels 33 metres - 39 metres

NAf 324 for vessels 38 - 43 metres